They’re in a logjam, but they’re also the first-place Avs heading into the NHL’s Christmas break.
Unlike the NBA, the NHL shuts down for the holiday. The NHL hasn’t had any games on Christmas Eve since 1972 and none on Christmas since 1971.
So it all means that after Colorado beat Chicago 3-2 on Saturday night and was in a three-way tie with the Edmonton Oilers and Minnesota Wild atop the Northwest Division standings, the Avs will remain in that spot – and situation – at least until the league resumes with 12 games Tuesday.
Whether it’s parity or mass mediocrity is open to debate, but the winner of the Northwest Division would be guaranteed at least the No. 3 playoff seed in the Western Conference.
“We’re pleased, knowing we’ve been chasing it for several weeks now and finally got there for the moment,” Colorado coach Joel Quenneville said before word came that Calgary, which was one point behind the three co-leaders, lost 4-1 at San Jose. “Overall, we’re trending in the right direction. We know we have a fight ahead of us that’s going to be very exciting.”
Wolski’s first a gift
Avalanche rookie Wojtek Wolski was credited with two goals in the win, but the first came after Blackhawks defenseman Jassen Cullimore fired the puck past his own goalie, Nikolai Khabibulin.
“I haven’t seen someone score from that far out,” said Quenneville, a defenseman in his NHL career. “I put a couple in my own net along the way. That was a very fortunate goal for us, but I thought (Wolski) had a very strong game for us, across the board.”
Wolski said: “It’s nice to score pretty goals, but when you score lucky ones, it definitely feels great, too. Things are going your way. The fact that I got that first goal, I think it motivated me. …
“I was breaking through and lost the puck, and I guess (Cullimore) was flat-footed, so he was just trying to clear it and making sure I wouldn’t get it, but luckily, it went in.”
Footnotes
The Blackhawks, who have been revived under new coach Denis Savard and came in with an 8-2-3 record under the Hall of Fame center, beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 3-1 at home Friday before traveling to Denver. …Winger Marek Svatos missed his third game in Colorado’s past four because of a groin injury. … The Avalanche won’t practice today or on Christmas Day, which is mandated under the terms of the league’s collective bargaining agreement.
